When I first was presented with the idea of starting to write, the premise behind it was to allow others to keep in touch with the why, how, when, and what of everything I was doing. I liked the premise, but I had hesitations; I wasn’t all that sure that people really cared about what I had to say.
Before I wrote anything down, however, the reasoning behind putting my thoughts onto paper changed. Suddenly I didn’t want it to have to be for anyone else. It was mine and it was for me for two specific reasons. First, it would be a place to organize my thoughts – to allow myself some reflection, a place to learn about myself and my mistakes and my successes, to bask in my glory, and to wallow in my self pity. Secondly, I wanted to be able to look back at any point in time and revisit from where I had come, all the way up to the point to where this is all done…if it ever does finish.
It was my place, but I didn’t mind sharing it.
Even though it’s still very early in this racing year and all the ups and downs this time inevitably holds, through this writing process, I feel I’ve already been smacked in the face with some very important life lessons.
The most recent smack in the face comes courtesy of the vague yet ever-present concept of balance. Before I go further, I want to directly link to an article that a friend sent me. I urge you, if you have time, READ IT! If you don’t have time, give your head a shake, tell Nancy to hold your calls, and READ THIS! (If you are this busy, you are exactly the type of person who needs to read this.)
http://www.onbeing.org/blog/the-disease-of-being-busy/7023
If you completely bypassed my warning and didn’t read it, I put curses on you. The gist of the article, however, is that society in general right now is too busy. Far too busy and never allows itself to breathe, to reflect, to enjoy the small things in life. I am completely butchering the message of the article so, for one last time, I URGE YOU TO READ IT! Everything that follows makes more sense. Does anyone else see the irony in bypassing an article about being busy as a disease?
A month ago, this article hit exactly where I was. Busy. No time for anything, always on the move to something else. Slowly on a tailspin downwards, getting ever closer to crashing. Constantly fatigued, constantly tired, but just keeping moving. It was toxic.
I so fully committed myself to training for all these ridiculous events I intended on doing this year that I forgot the concept of balance. The pursuit of a lofty goal is a tough road and the classic saying “if it was easy, everyone would do it” rings true. But there comes a time and place one needs to know when to step on the brakes. This is the point where it goes beyond physical training. In your pursuit of wealth or good grades or a promotion or business excellence, are you willing to compromise your physical health? How about your mental health? Your relationships? Your family life? Your sanity?
Several weeks back, I had the opportunity of running the Whistler Tough Mudder with a group of some pretty amazing people. Unlike other events I’ve been doing this year, I did this one purely for the enjoyment of it. No timing chip, no heart rate monitor, no pace setter. Get back to the basics and truly enjoy the aspects that drew me to these sorts of events in the first place – the teamwork, the camaraderie, and the collective chaffage (there’s nothing that draws a group closer together than a common enemy!).
It’s what I needed. I got back to the enjoyment. That’s what allowed me to be successful last year. Doing it because I want to, not because I am forcing myself. Get back to the basics, get back to the love of it. Reignite the enjoyment. Find that balance between the competitiveness and the fun recreational side.
Make time for yourself. Make time for friends. Make time for family. Make time to be active. Make time to do absolutely nothing. Make time for sleep (you might not even understand how big this one is – SO BIG!). Be intense, be vigilant in whatever aspect and capacity that means to you. Yet, in that same breath, find the time to create that balance in your life by filling those areas that are neglected. This is part of my balance. This is for me.
Jonathan Schouten
Professional Training Coach
Innovative Fitness Abbotsford
P: 6047463923
www.innovativefitness.com
Like IF – https://www.facebook.com/InnovativeFitnessAbbotsford
Watch IF- www.YouTube.com/InnovativeFitness1
